Italian

One of the most important features of a liberal education is familiarity with the language of a culture other than one's own. Such familiarity not only clarifies a student's sense of cultural identity, but also enhances articulateness and enlarges the view of the scope of thought and language. A major in a foreign language prepares students to enter graduate school in literary studies or in interpretation and translation, or provides basic liberal arts training for professional study in law, business, foreign service, or medicine.

Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill the language requirement in an uninterrupted sequence. In all cases, however, the language requirement must be completed by the end of the first semester of the senior year.

Learning Outcomes of the Program in Italian Studies

Department Goals and/or Objectives

Goals are broad statements that describe what the program wants to accomplish

1. Students will gain a basic understanding of Italian grammar and knowledge of vocabulary.
2. Students will gain facility in speaking and understanding Italian, and proficiency and clarity in expressing themselves in oral and written form.
3. Students will gain knowledge, past and present, of: major authors, issues, and trends, associated with Italian society, culture, and literature.
4. Students will gain the ability to analyze, think critically, and express themselves articulately, about primary texts and visual materials, and to use secondary sources to deepen their understanding, in discussions, presentations and written essays and exams.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO1: Students competently demonstrate a basic understanding of Italian grammar and knowledge of vocabulary.
SLO2: Students demonstrate proficiency, clarity and fluency in written expression. Students will exhibit knowledge of and the ability to think critically about the historical, cultural, and literary content of the course.
SLO3: Students demonstrate knowledge, past and present, of major authors, issues and trends associated with Italian society, culture, and literature.
SLO4: Students are able to analyze, think critically, and express themselves articulately, about primary texts and visual materials, and to use secondary sources to deepen their understanding, in discussions, presentations, and written essays and exams.